Mamnoon Restaurant Review

: With chef Jason Stratton on board; a stylish, modern décor; and convenient location to both downtown theaters and Capitol Hill, Mamnoon is a triple threat. The menu draws inspiration from all over the Middle East, focusing on Syria, the owners' homeland, although they’re recent Microsoft and tech industry alums. Entering the restaurant, it’s impossible not to notice the full-scale bakery operation at the front, with various fresh breads being prepared to later dip into everything from za’atar-spiced olive oil to charred eggplant with lamb ragù. At lunch, the same breads wrap around cheese or meat making quick sandwiches called mana’eesh. Small plates (mezze) are the main focus, but a few larger dishes, such as pan-roasted branzino with sea urchin and toasted almonds, also tempt. At dessert, the same walnuts, dates and pistachios that pepper both the dinner and cocktail menus are transformed into sweets like ya’teen, a butter cake combining fresh cheese, pumpkin and walnuts. A snappy wine list draws from locations only within 65 miles of the Mediterranean.